In unison, a group of 12 people dig their paddles into the waters of Lake Meridian, grunting and counting with speed and endurance.
Splashing themselves with the cold water as their paddles quickly rise and fall, these dedicated individuals know the hard work is well worth the effort.
By the time they count to 15 three times, the drill is over, their chests padded in colorful lifejackets heaving in and out to catch their breath.
Not long after they finish do they slide those same paddles back into the glassy water, slowly propelling the slender boat backward, in order to do it all once more – only faster this time.
These are the members of the Kent Dragon Boat Association as they train for their upcoming season.
On April 6, the group had its annual awakening the dragon ceremony where all the paddlers gathered at Lake Meridian to talk, eat and go out on the lake for a couple hours worth of paddling to kick off the spring season. The next two Saturdays were dedicated to early morning practice and clinics for new paddlers to get a taste of what dragon boating is like.
“It’s very fulfilling,” said coach Maureen Roberts, who’s been dragon boating for the last 10 years. “It’s great to take them from learning how to dragon boat all the way through competing in a race.”
Out on the water, as the dragon boaters float near an open spot, Roberts calls out the next drill.
“Paddles up,” she yells. “This one is a 30, 30, 30, 30, 30. Ready. Go.”
And with a brief description of the number of strokes per set, the group begins to swiftly dig their paddles back into the water.
In a matter of seconds, the drill is finished, but with the lasting workout on their bodies, fatigue sets in near the end of practice.
“Endurance is a big deal,” Roberts said. “It’s a workout because it involves your entire body, particularly your core. It’s much less of an arm workout as you think. It really involves your entire body.”
But it’s all worth it for them as their first race of the season is Saturday in Olympia, where 30 teams will gather for an all-day sprint race, food and fun.
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